Energy and Environmental Simulation of Landfill Gas Based Power Generation Systems: A Case Study from Macaúbas Landfill, Brazil

This study presents the development of a techno-environmental simulation framework for electricity production from landfill gas at the Macaúbas Landfill, in Sabará, Brazil. The research aims to evaluate the energy performance of landfill gas based thermoelectric systems and to structure a gate-to-gate life cycle inventory for the conversion of conditioned landfill gas into electricity. The framework integrates operational data from Jenbacher JGS 420 GS B.L. engine-generator sets, including biogas flow, lower heating value, engine specifications, reported atmospheric emissions, and self-consumption losses. All plant calculations were developed and executed in Python, combining process based calculations, stoichiometric combustion relationships, emission data, and inventory normalization in a transparent structure that enables scenario comparison and future environmental assessment. The simulations indicate that an average effective biogas flow of 5,015.86 Nm³ h.¹ corresponds to a gross electrical power output of 9.06 MW. After discounting self-consumption and operational losses, the system reached an average net electrical power of 8.64 MW, equivalent to approximately 75.68 GWh y.¹. The resulting inventory was normalized to 1 kWh of net electricity generated and provides a consistent basis for future climate change assessment. Future research will expand the framework by integrating Pressure Swing Adsorption and steam reforming models to evaluate the transition from landfill gas based electricity generation to biomethane and biohydrogen production.